I am attempting to decide on a thickness planer. Your recent reviews make both the bench tops and the stationary machines attractive. I currently have a small ( 10 inch) benchtop machine that is fine for small tasks but it is very arduous preparing stock from rough cut lumber. Having been the lucky recipient of a significant quantity of rough cut maple and cherry the need for an upgrade is obvious. The lighter weight bench top units have great appeal for my small 2nd floor shop (17 steps) but not if they cannot do the job. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
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I always tell my students that unless you are in business and time is money then spend your $ on the best and the biggest jointer you can afford 8" or better) and buy a bench top planer- they can do anything that a big stationary machine does- it just takes longer. Once that rough sawn maple and cherry gets face jointed then planing it to thickness won't be such a project and the boards will all be flat and straight.
Hope that helps
Bob Van Dyke
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